Jesus' parables in Luke 11 helped me understand one of the greatest secrets of life.

Then He said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness (or persistence) he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:5-10

I acted out this parable in my mind to try to understand it. I pictured myself as the person who went next door to borrow three loaves of bread for my unexpected visitor. I began to knock on my neighbor's door at midnight. "Don't bother us," I heard him shout. "We're all in bed. I can't get up and give you anything." But I knew that if he did not help me I would only have to pass the word around the community the next day and he would be ostracized. My neighbor was a good friend. We'd fished together and shared many meals. Our children played together, and I couldn't say how often we had borrowed things from each other. However, these were not the reasons he eventually helped me at such a late hour. He got up and gave me as much as I needed because of my persistence and in order to protect his reputation.

Jesus went on to make the application for us. Why are we to continually ask and seek and knock? Because God's reputation is at stake. I could pray, "Lord, what's the secret to the abundant life you promised in John 10:10?" I intended to keep asking this question until I got an answer, and I knew God would answer because He will not be shamed. I was asking, and God promised I would receive. I was seeking, and God promised I would find. I was knocking, and God promised to open the door to understanding.

From this parable I learned two crucial principles: First, God will not be shamed. He guards His Word and reputation, as did the neighbor portrayed in the parable I'd read. Second, God is faithful to answer the bold, persistent prayers of His children.

The second part of Luke 11 says:

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Luke 11:11-13

If we humans know how to give good gifts to our children, just think about the almighty God of the universe, our heavenly Father. He promises to give his very Spirit to those who ask. I suddenly realized this was what I was seeking. This was the life God had promised! Life is contained in His Spirit living within me. If I have the Holy Spirit, I would have love, joy, peace, patience, and all the other fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). Ephesians 3:19 states that to know the love of God is to be "filled to … all the fullness of God." I know it is God's Spirit alone who fills my cup and charges my battery.

This wasn't new to me—I'd heard it hundreds of times. What was new was how to gain God's Spirit and keep that relationship alive.

During those days, I went to God as a child goes to his father. As a hungry son seeking bread, I stated my requests:

• I asked to experience God within me and that I might no longer expect anything other than God to fill my life.
• I asked for healthy family relationships and that Norma and I and our three children would love each other and be an example to other families.
• I asked for knowledge and wisdom to be the best possible husband and father.
• I asked God for a friend who could guide me further in this truth. I needed someone who would help me resolve inner turmoil and help me live an obedient Christian life.
• Finally, I asked God to let me guide others, particularly by preparing me to do more personal counseling so I could share my insights from God.

God began answering these prayers immediately.

Recommended Resources:

Buy Joy That Lasts

Buy Homes of Honor I Relationship Series

© Copyright 2005 Smalley Relationship Center

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